Taylor and Carr make progress

Jermaine Taylor has been out of action since June 16. (James Nielsen/Chronicle)

Jermaine Taylor, who hasn’t played since suffering a hip flexor injury against FC Dallas, returned to practice Tuesday. Calen Carr, who also has been out since leaving in the first half against Dallas with a strained left hamstring, started jogging at practice today.

The Dynamo got some positive news Tuesday when Taylor returned to practice. Taylor isn’t ruling out playing against Philadelphia. Carr might not be ready for Philadelphia, but he is making tremendous progress.

“I’m feeling better,” Carr said. “Today was my first day doing some jogging around the field. I’m actually really pleased with where I’m at with just a little over a week. Just trying to keep climbing. … I think that Saturday’s probably out of the question for me. I think that’s going to be a little too soon. I want to kind of make sure once I’m back that it’s behind me. I think we’re going to be little cautious.”

Barring a setback, I wouldn’t be surprised if Carr is ready to come off the bench next Tuesday.

“Today was the first day I did some running,” he said. “I’ll hopefully build through a running progression this week and see where I’m at at the end of the week.”

I don’t want to make any excuses for the Dynamo, but I have to say that losing Taylor and Carr was a major reason the Dynamo played so poorly against Toronto FC and Montreal.

In my opinion, Taylor has been the team’s best defender this season, and that’s saying a lot considering Geoff Cameron is a stud on his way to the English Premier League. I would be surprised if Cameron isn’t signed, sealed and delivered to Stoke City by next week.

If Will Bruin has been the team MVP so far, Calen Carr has been the unsung hero of the team. Losing him on the right wing created a huge hole for the offense and defense. The Dynamo never replaced his hustle and fight on the wing.

By the way, Oscar Boniek Garcia will likely practice with the team on Thursday.